Josephine R. Barela

Josephine Ramona “Josie” Barela of Cozad passed away November 4, 2018 at Cozad Care Center at the age of 80. Josie was born March 19, 1938 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, having spent most of her life in Nebraska living in Lyman and Omaha until she met the love of her life Juan Francisco Barela at the age of 16.  They got married that same year on Christmas Day, 1954.

The couple made their home at Amarillo, Texas, moved to Omaha, NE in 1956, and in 1965, they permanently moved to Cozad.  Josie was a housewife for many years, then worked at Coopers, and pride of her working life was working as a machinist at Monroe Auto for 18 years.  She left her job to take care her mother, Betty Mosely, for about 3 years in Omaha during the last years of her life.  She would travel back and forth from Cozad to Omaha.

Josie was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a very loving and giving person, helping her community and volunteering anywhere and anyway she could.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Juan Barela; sons, David Barela, Isaac Barela and Juan Manuel “Chapo” Barela.

Survivors include her sons, Jude Terrance Barela and Natividad Barela, both of Cozad; her daughter, Cathy (Marion Collins Jr.) Barela of Omaha; her grandchildren, Christopher (Rhonda) Barela, Dalicia (Tony) Davis, Tawny Mara Foster, Isaac Barela, Bryson Barela and Haley Tolston; honorary grandchildren include, Teresa Vanatta, Lacy and Cheyenne Foster; great grandchildren, Kaysen, Harper, Irelynn and Kallen Foster, Slater and Jake Barela and Nasir Davis

Memorial services will be held Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Berryman Funeral Home Chapel with Alberto Silva officiating. Cremation was chosen. Inurnment will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Berryman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.